SGT NOAH GALLOWAY

Calera, AL

Mission Accomplished on Sept. 28, 2015

 
On Dec. 19, 2005, while accompanying his platoon leader on a routine mission near Yusufiyah in what was referred to as the “Triangle of Death” south of Baghdad, Army Sergeant Noah Galloway’s vehicle drove into a trip wire that ignited a roadside bomb. In the aftermath of the blast, which thrust the vehicle into a canal, the platoon leader would find SGT Galloway’s bloodied helmet, and later, a severely injured Galloway, legs mangled in the wreckage.

SGT Galloway was rescued from the site and returned to the abandoned potato factory where his unit had taken up quarters. He was then evacuated from the site and brought to Bagdad. Six days later, on Christmas, SGT Galloway woke up at Walter Reed Medical Center, with no recollection of the blast. His mother would then deliver him the devastating news: the bomb took his left arm above the elbow and his left leg above the knee. The biggest source of inspiration during SGT Galloway’s recovery was his father, Andy, who lost his arm at a young age in a work accident.

Noah and his wife, Amanda, are raising their four children, Colston, Jack, Rian, and Matthew. Noah is a motivational speaker and athletic trainer. He competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and finished third overall in the series with his partner, Sharna Burgess. His book Living with No Excuses: The Remarkable Rebirth of an American Soldier was released in August 2016. Noah created the No Excuses Charitable Fund to raise funds and awareness for mission driven organizations. He is also involved with F45 Training, a high intensity workout program. Amanda works as a stay-at-home mother and is a yoga enthusiast.

In his previous home, Noah could not use a wheelchair, making it difficult to rest and recover. His specially adapted custom home has an open floor plan and a barrier-free environment, including widened doorways, allowing access to every room. Noah recognizes that as he ages, his health and dexterity may deteriorate, putting him at greater risk of injury injuring should he slip and fall. Safety features such as hold bars in the shower, carpet-less floors, and accessible kitchen cabinets will help him stay independent, safe, and strong now and in the years to come. “I like to be tough and push myself to every limit. But this is my home, this is where I need to recover and I can do that here,” Noah says.

SGT Galloway is committed to paying it forward by advancing the mission of Homes For Our Troops throughout the country, and by being a positive role model and inspiration to others, especially our nation’s severely injured Veterans.

 

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